But the family members also expressed confusion regarding the circumstances surrounding the early-morning tragedy.

An email sent by Awatif El Hilali, who identified himself as Yazid's brother, placed faith in police to find the "truth" of what happened.

"Me and my family want to know the causes and circumstances of the accident," he said. "We are counting on the police investigations to help us to know the truth and all details about the accident and also the driver responsibility."

Another email, from Salah Eddine, who identified herself as El Hilali's cousin, said "what I doesn't understand why he was there, in that time."

The email from the Moroccan resident continued: "So many questions in my mind."

According to New Jersey State Trooper Jeff Flynn, El Hilali was struck by a Dodge Caravan shortly before 4 a.m. last week while he was walking on the shoulder of the highway.

He was hit on the solid line which acts as a barrier between the roadway and the shoulder known as the fog line, said Flynn.

It still remains unclear why El Hilali was walking on the highway and why his car was parked just feet away from where he was struck, authorities said Monday.

El Hilali, who suffered a severe head injury, was transported to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in New Jersey, where he was pronounced dead.

No charges have been filed against the driver, who was not injured in the incident.

El Hilali, who went by the nickname "Rocco" (a name in reference to his home country) was remembered fondly by his peers and teammates at Villanova University, where he received his bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 2012, according to his LinkedIn profile.

"The tragic death of El Hilali comes as a grievous loss to all the members of Villanova Rugby, past and present, and we will be sure to keep our cherished teammate, along with his family and friends, in our thoughts and prayers," said a Twitter post from the team.